The Marian Essay Contest was established by Fr. Frank X. Zammit to provide students with the opportunity to deepen their devotion to the Blessed Mother and better understand their own role as disciples and stewards of God’s grace. The author of the winning essay will receive a $1,000 scholarship award which can be used for Catholic school tuition, domestic mission trips, San Pedro retreats and/or to donate to the diocesan parish, school or ministry of their choice! An award will also be given to the top 7/8th grade essay and 5/6th grade essay as chosen from the remaining entries.
Who can enter the contest?
Any incoming or outgoing middle school student enrolled in a Diocese of Orlando Catholic school, parish faith formation, religious education, youth ministry or other catechetical formation program during the 2025-26 academic year.
Requirements
A 400-500 word essay on this year’s theme: Mary, Our Heavenly Mother – Mary is our loving Heavenly Mother who intercedes for us and gently leads us to Jesus. In your essay, reflect on how Mary cares for you personally. Describe a time when you felt her comfort, guidance, or protection and share how you can turn to Mary more intentionally in your daily life to deepen your relationship with Jesus.
Formatted: Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced, standard margins.
Mary is our loving Heavenly Mother who intercedes for us and gently leads us to Jesus. In your essay, reflect on how Mary cares for you personally. Describe a time when you felt her comfort, guidance, or protection and share how you can turn to Mary more intentionally in your daily life to deepen your relationship with Jesus.
Marian Essay Contest entries go through 3 stages of reviewing:
Preliminary: Does the entry meet the basic requirements and was it relatively free of major errors.
Review Committee: The Catholic Foundation engages a diverse group of panelists representing many perspectives of our faith family, including clergy, religious, and Catholic lay leaders to serve on the Marian Essay Contest Review Committee. Each entry is scored by two of our review committee members.
Finalist: The top two entries from each group are then ranked and reviewed to determine the winners and honorable mentions.
More information
The Marian Contest is administered through an Endowment Fund at The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida in conjunction with the Secretariat of Education and Secretariat of Laity, Family and Life.
